The Los Angeles Dodgers have had reported interest in a number of free agents, but to this point, they have been relatively quiet.
Going into the offseason, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman identified the team’s two biggest needs were in the bullpen and a right-handed bat. They have already done a solid job addressing the bullpen, making a number of under-the-radar signings in addition to bringing back Blake Treinen.
They are still in search of a right-handed bat, and with some of the top players available on the free-agent market like DJ LeMahieu and George Springer signing contracts elsewhere in recent weeks, the Dodgers’ options are dwindling.
All along, re-signing Justin Turner has made the most sense as he is one of the franchise’s greatest players ever and fits the need of a right-handed hitting position player who can play third base. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Turner remains the Dodgers’ top target despite them allowing him to talk with other teams:
Dodgers main infield target at moment is a righty-hitting infielder, and no surprise Justin Turner is the top choice. They’ve given him a chance to look around in the market but would love him back. They’ve looked at Marcus Semien but might be tough to think they could sign both.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 20, 2021
Semien is another right-handed-hitting infielder the Dodgers have been linked to, and one report said they could try to sign both him and Turner.
L.A. has a number of players deserving of more playing time in the infield though, so it really would only make sense for them to sign one or the other.
With the start of Spring Training just around the corner, it seems to be just a matter of time before the Dodgers strike on a big move to add the infielder they have been in search of all offseason.
Dodgers ‘monitoring’ Bauer market
The Dodgers don’t really have a need for a starting pitcher this offseason with the expected return of David Price, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t still taking a look at some of the top options available.
Trevor Bauer, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, remains available in free agency, and it has been reported the Dodgers are ‘monitoring’ his market in hopes that he is willing to sign a short-term deal.
While it is unlikely that he would be open to doing that, it is hard not to imagine adding a pitcher of Bauer’s caliber to a rotation that already includes Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias and Price.
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